Falklands caught in the post Brexit Galileo space controversy

United Kingdom ministers are unilaterally considering stopping EU access to the Galileo satellite earth station in the Falklands and Ascension, according to reports in the UK press. The move comes after Brussels chief Brexit negotiator, Michael Barnier, stated that UK companies would have to be excluded from the development of sensitive Galileo infrastructure following Brexit due to security concerns. Read full article

To be clear, UK Ministers have no right to determine who does and who does not visit the Falkland Islands. Immigration permissions are exclusively a matter for the Falkland Islands Government. FI Assembly Members will take appropriate decisions based on the facts presented.

@GALlamosa. That's a curious statement. The UK is responsible for the defence and foreign relations of the falkland Islands. Therefore, there are several considerations. Who would operate an EU earth station? Would they be EU nationals? Would they act for or against UK, and therefore Falkland Islands', interests? Without UK input and oversight, could the system assist in tracking British aircraft and/or vessels? Taking an example from 80 years ago, would it have been reasonable to allow nazi Germany to place a radar station on the Isle of Wight so that it could radio warnings to approaching hostile aircraft that they could be seen by the British Chainhome radar stations? Would it have been acceptable for German nazis to be on the Isle of Wight to operate the German station? I think not. No doubt the matter will be dealt with pragmatically between the British government and the FIG. I cannot imagine that the FIG would not be aware of the dangers and issues. Remembering, of course, that the Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory. It may be worth recalling that, in 2009, when Britain recognised that the Turks and Caicos Islands were being improperly governed, Britain resumed direct rule.That situation continued until 2012. Moreover, there is the question of how the Islands would cope with foreign relations and defence if the UK pulled out? Demolishing the naval harbour facilities and blowing large holes in the runway as it left.